This past weekend, I had the opportunity to ask Coach Philbin about the progress of Egnew, amidst the beating he took from the media and fans in his rookie year. As soon as I indicated the beating he’d taken Philbin immediately responded with “Not by me!” and with a chuckle. Philbin indicated that Egnew has been a very hard worker since the last time many of us saw or heard from him, and that we’re seeing the results on the field. Jeff Ireland indicated that he was pleased with the progress of players like Egnew. Quite frankly, we should all be pleased to see that he is progressing as well, especially given the issues that Miami has had with protection this season. It was pointed out by the Dolphins brass that Dennis Pitta of the Ravens barely saw the field in his rookie campaign as well, and that tight end is a position that seems to take the longest to develop for most players from college to the pro’s.

This past weekend, Egnew saw a handful of plays out of the backfield as a lead blocker as well. Being on the sidelines for the game in Miami, I saw something that as I walked by made me stop and pause for a moment. There was Egnew, standing with the coaches after an early series. Gone was the look of confusion we all became familiar with, as well as the slumped stance of a player who “gives up” that we became accustomed to watching Hard Knocks. Egnew was talking and standing with confidence, listening to the coach, letting them know what he saw, and GETTING what they were saying. Egnew had the look of a player ready to go back out on the field and put it to use.

Egnew has been fairly non existent to the fans and what in the world is the deal with Dion Sims??? Early on he was getting balls thrown his way, have we even heard his name the past few games?? Sims IMO was showing so much promise and is a big target like Denver's tight end Julius Thomas who once given a chance has come out of no where to put up great stats. Of course he has Peyton Manning, but I am surprised Sims isn't being used more on mismatches on the field.

From what I saw Egnew did a nice job as a fullback. That is a position where he could also be a receiving threat who quickly gets into space. If you watch those Missouri highlights his best work is short throws where he is given room to run.

Tannehill should be looking to his back in check down option more often. They sure as heck can't block for him.

TE Dion Sims saw his most snaps since Week 2 (24), but he was blocking on 19 of them.

Salguero: Dolphins coaches don't seem to have a very high regard for Sims as a pass catcher. They think his value is blocking. Obviously, I haven't seen him in a practice since training camp but he was developing at that time as a pass catcher. It's unknown whether that development in the passing game slowed or coaches are simply misjudging Sims. ...

Miami's WRs and TEs are getting open. RT needs to go back to spreading the ball around. On that last Buffalo Drive he went back to the well one too many times. If he doesn't get rid of those tendencies, NE's defense will eat him alive.

Yup, and if he was a consistently efficient blocker he'd be out there on more snaps.

Actually, when you add all the tight ends that have played in the NFL, Egnew is the 9th best run blocker in the NFL and is the 54th best pass blocker in the NFL. Clay and Sims are light years behind him. Sims has been a real disappointment as a blocker (64th best run blocker, 99th best pass blocker).

The Dolphins go three wide a lot as they like what Brandon Gibson brings in the slot.

The problem is that when you go three wide, you typically get away from the max protect formations.

You can go 3 wide and still have a tight end on the line to block. Doesn't seem like they can do that consistently.

I'm not saying Egnew can't block or is atrocious, but I wouldn't say he adds a ton of value as a blocking TE hence his limited snaps even though they really need that.

I could be wrong. But nothing he's done has stood out and just because he hasn't been blown up on the line doesn't equate to a solid blocker. I just haven't really noticed him make a block where you say "wow".

Yup, and if he was a consistently efficient blocker he'd be out there on more snaps.

Actually, when you add all the tight ends that have played in the NFL, Egnew is the 9th best run blocker in the NFL and is the 54th best pass blocker in the NFL. Clay and Sims are light years behind him. Sims has been a real disappointment as a blocker (64th best run blocker, 99th best pass blocker).

I can't see the stats as I don't have an account. How many snaps does Egnew have versus TE's who are out there all the time blocking? Is it an apples to apples comparison?

Again, if he's that efficient why isn't he out there more often? Especially if he's better than Clay and can be both FB and TE. Hopefully I'm wrong and he turns out to be an awesome weapon both blocking and catching.

I can't see the stats as I don't have an account. How many snaps does Egnew have versus TE's who are out there all the time blocking? Is it an apples to apples comparison?

Again, if he's that efficient why isn't he out there more often? Especially if he's better than Clay and can be both FB and TE. Hopefully I'm wrong and he turns out to be an awesome weapon both blocking and catching.

I could be wrong. But nothing he's done has stood out and just because he hasn't been blown up on the line doesn't equate to a solid blocker. I just haven't really noticed him make a block where you say "wow".

I could be wrong. But nothing he's done has stood out and just because he hasn't been blown up on the line doesn't equate to a solid blocker. I just haven't really noticed him make a block where you say "wow".

You can go 3 wide and still have a tight end on the line to block. Doesn't seem like they can do that consistently.

I'm not saying Egnew can't block or is atrocious, but I wouldn't say he adds a ton of value as a blocking TE hence his limited snaps even though they really need that.

I could be wrong. But nothing he's done has stood out and just because he hasn't been blown up on the line doesn't equate to a solid blocker. I just haven't really noticed him make a block where you say "wow".

There's this guy on the team. Charles Clay. Ya might have heard of him... he sort of gets the majority of the snaps in those 3 wide formations....

I can't see the stats as I don't have an account. How many snaps does Egnew have versus TE's who are out there all the time blocking? Is it an apples to apples comparison?

Again, if he's that efficient why isn't he out there more often? Especially if he's better than Clay and can be both FB and TE. Hopefully I'm wrong and he turns out to be an awesome weapon both blocking and catching.

Shhhhhhh .... the 9th ranking sounds so much better on its face.

Whoa ... are you asking me to get into Mike Sherman's mind? Because that's a very dangerous place.

Yup, and if he was a consistently efficient blocker he'd be out there on more snaps.

Actually, when you add all the tight ends that have played in the NFL, Egnew is the 9th best run blocker in the NFL and is the 54th best pass blocker in the NFL. Clay and Sims are light years behind him. Sims has been a real disappointment as a blocker (64th best run blocker, 99th best pass blocker).

I can't see the stats as I don't have an account. How many snaps does Egnew have versus TE's who are out there all the time blocking? Is it an apples to apples comparison?

Again, if he's that efficient why isn't he out there more often? Especially if he's better than Clay and can be both FB and TE. Hopefully I'm wrong and he turns out to be an awesome weapon both blocking and catching.

Does the coaching staff not using him more say anything about how he is performing given their tendency to go away from what is working?

There's this guy on the team. Charles Clay. Ya might have heard of him... he sort of gets the majority of the snaps in those 3 wide formations....

Hmm, what's his jersey number? I'll look for him.

Clay's blocking is okay. If Egnew is better than why not have him providing more protection on the line and leaving the 3 receivers to simply run routes? Wouldn't that make more sense then sending 3 WR's and Clay, leaving Tannehill to get crushed because his tackles and backs can't hold up?

Maybe your point about the stubbornness of the coach is behind all of this.